Chapter Nine

The trip out to Ivarstead was a long one, or seemed that way to Dar'. The pair made it through the mountains before setting up camp by an old shack. The morning after found them awakening to rain, packing up everything and moving on. The female Khajiit dove into the river outside Ivarstead to see about catching some fish, noticing a satchel near a skeleton and bringing it up, finding a necklace and some alchemy ingredients. They headed into the inn, the owner pointing them to the local beggar named Narfi. Dar' returned the necklace, letting him know his sister was gone and getting some more ingredients as a thank you before they headed for the bridge. They got some supplies for the Greybeards from a man named Klimmek and promising to deliver them before heading up the mountain. Inigo walked with her, keeping an eye on his friend as they took down a couple trolls, both keeping their heads down. Dar' reached into a pouch, taking out two pairs of goggles and handing him a pair, putting the other over her eyes. "These should help." She called, watching him put them on and nodding to her as they continued, finally reaching High Hrothgar, depositing the supplies in the chest at the foot of the stairs before climbing up to the door, opening it and going inside with him. The pair removed their goggles and face covers, looking around as an old man approached them. Dar' bowed to him, dropping the hood she was wearing and looking at him with bright green eyes. "So, a Dragonborn appears at the turning of the age." The man said to her, bidding her to shout and staggering before coming back over. "Welcome Dragonborn. I am Master Arngeir."

He answered her questions calmly before beginning her training. Inigo sat down and watched them, smiling at her progress. The group went outside, testing her on a new shout before sending her to retrieve a horn from the tomb of Jurgen Windcaller, the pair being attacked by strange people and reading the note one of them carried before heading to Ustengrav.

-Timeskip*-

Three days later, the pair entered Riverwood, Inigo ranting. "Stupid tomb full of stupid zombies and no stupid horn at the end of it all." He growled. "What a waste of time that was."

Dar' eyed him. "I know Inigo-but I honestly don't think it was the Greybeards doing." Was the reply as they headed into the inn, looking around. She went over to the innkeeper, renting the attic room that had been mentioned in the note, going into the room indicated before the same woman came in. "So you're the Dragonborn I've been hearing so much about." She said. "I think you're looking for this." She handed her the horn. "We need to talk-follow me."

The pair followed the woman. "Orgnar-hold down the bar for a moment." She said.

"Right Delphine." Came the reply as they entered a room, Inigo shutting the door before she opened a wardrobe, a false panel opening as well. "This way."

They went down the stairs, the woman Delphine walking around a table and looking at the female Khajiit. "The Greybeards seem to think you're Dragonborn," she said. "I hope they're right."

"You took the horn?" came the question.

"Surprised?" came the reply. "Guess I'm getting pretty good at my harmless innkeeper act."

"I was expecting someone...unlike you-maybe taller."

"Good. The whole point of being in hiding is to appear something you're not."

"Well, here I am. Speak your mind."

"I didn't go to all this trouble on a whim," the woman said with a bit of exasperation in her voice. "I needed to be sure it wasn't a Thalmor trap." At the sight of the felines baring their fangs slightly, she continued quickly. "I am not your enemy. I gave you the horn, now I'm hoping you'll hear me out."

"That was not aimed at you Delphine." Dar' said. "We just don't like Thalmor. Do go on, I'm listening."

"Like I said in my note," Delphine said in a relieved voice. "I've heard you might be Dragonborn. I'm part of a group that's been looking for you...well, someone like you, for a very long time. If you really are Dragonborn, that is. Before I tell you anymore, I need to know I can trust you."

Inigo snarled, opening his mouth to say something before his friend touched his arm. "I get the feeling she's taken a big risk revealing this to us-let's finish hearing her out." She turned back. "He's still a bit sore about going through that dungeon for nothing but your note I'm afraid. Why are you looking for a Dragonborn?

"We remember what most don't-that the Dragonborn is the ultimate dragonslayer. You're the only one that can kill a dragon permanently by devouring its soul. Can you do it? Can you devour a dragon's soul?"

"Yes," was the reply. "That's how I learned of my ability."

"Good. And you'll have a chance to prove it soon enough."

"It seems you are keeping more from me. What do you know of this?"

"Dragons aren't just coming back, they're coming back to life. They weren't gone somewhere for all these years. They were dead, killed off by my predecessors. Now something's happening to bring them back to life. And I need you to help me stop it."

"Do you hear yourself?" the female Khajiit asked, raising an eyebrow as she folded her arms. "You speak like a madwoman."

The woman chuckled at her comment. "You know," she said. "I said almost the same thing to a colleague of mine. Turns out he was right and I was wrong."

"What makes you think dragons are coming back to life?"

"I know they are-I've gone to their burial mounds and found them empty-and I've figured out where the next one will come back to life. We're going to go there and kill that dragon. If we succeed, I'll tell you everything you want to know."

"So, where are we headed?" The blue-furred Khajiit asked, raising an eyebrow as well as she looked at him. "Kynesgrove. There's an ancient burial mound near there. If we can get there before it happens, maybe we can find out how to stop it."

"I know of that mound," the other Khajiit said. "High on the hill east of the village."

"Good, good. Then we won't have to search for it if you know. We should get moving-there's no time to waste."

"Let's go kill a dragon then-make haste."

"I need to get into my travelling gear-give me a few moments and I'll meet you upstairs."

The pair went upstairs, Delphine meeting them in a set of leather armor. "That's better," she said with a smile. "Let's get on the road to Kynesgrove."

The three of them headed out, taking the road toward their destination.

(A.N.: Another little filler chapter. I've been trying not to go dialogue-heavy on this, but that's about to change)